Korean Numbers: Native and Sino-Korean Counting Systems
Korean is unique in having two complete number systems that are used every day: Native Korean numbers and Sino-Korean numbers. In this lesson, you will master numbers one through ten in both systems, learning when and how native speakers choose between them.
See the sound, tap the matching Hangul letter.
Native Korean Numbers: 하나 to 열
The Native Korean counting system (하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯, 여섯, 일곱, 여덟, 아홉, 열) is primarily used for counting physical items, people, and hours on a clock. For example, when ordering two cups of coffee, you say 두 잔 (using the modified form of 둘). When stating your age, you use Native Korean numbers paired with the counter 살. These words are indigenous to the Korean peninsula and are rarely used for numbers higher than ninety-nine.
Sino-Korean Numbers: 일 to 십
The Sino-Korean counting system (일, 이, 삼, 사, 오, 육, 칠, 팔, 구, 십) is derived from classical Chinese characters. This system is used for dates, minutes and seconds on a clock, telephone numbers, bus routes, money, addresses, and measurements. Because Sino-Korean numbers can effortlessly scale up into hundreds, thousands, and millions, they handle all mathematical and financial tasks in modern life.
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 하나 | hana | one (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 둘 | dul | two (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 셋 | set | three (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 넷 | net | four (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 다섯 | daseot | five (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 여섯 | yeoseot | six (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 일곱 | ilgop | seven (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 여덟 | yeodeol | eight (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 아홉 | ahop | nine (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 열 | yeol | ten (Native Korean, used for items and hours) |
| 일 | il | one (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 이 | i | two (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 삼 | sam | three (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 사 | sa | four (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 오 | o | five (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 육 | yuk | six (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 칠 | chil | seven (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 팔 | pal | eight (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 구 | gu | nine (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
| 십 | sip | ten (Sino-Korean, used for dates and money) |
Telling Time with Both Systems
The classic demonstration of how both systems interact harmoniously occurs when telling time. Hours are always spoken in Native Korean numbers, while minutes are always spoken in Sino-Korean numbers. For example, 3:20 is spoken as 세 시 이십 분 (three hours in Native Korean, twenty minutes in Sino-Korean). Embracing both sets of numbers is one of the most exciting and practical breakthroughs for any Korean language learner.
Rules of Thumb for Choosing Systems
- Use Native numbers like 하나, 둘, and 셋 for counting objects, people, and clock hours.
- Use Sino-Korean numbers like 일, 이, and 삼 for money, phone numbers, and clock minutes.
- Notice how four numbers shorten before counters: 하나 becomes 한, 둘 becomes 두, 셋 becomes 세, 넷 becomes 네.
- Practice counting from one to ten in both systems daily to build automatic recall.
- Read prices and telephone numbers aloud whenever you see them.
Numbers are an essential bridge to shopping, dining, and scheduling in Korea. Jump into the interactive practice round below to master both sets from one to ten.